For some people of faith they are told to fear not. It’s mentioned several times in scripture and perhaps there’s something to it. We are living in an age where paranoia runs rampant but does it have to? Yes there are things to be afraid of but you know I am of the opinion that maybe we buy into scary stuff too much. Our world can be a scary place but you know we can be tougher and fearless. Courage is a great virtue and we need more of it. If we learn to love, offer and receive grace and work to make our communities better then we have a chance. Fear not good people, its a new day, a new opportunity, a new time. Once again, fear not!
Tag Archives: People
From A Fortune Cookie
Nothing motivates a man more than to see his boss put in a honest day’s work
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I am second in command in my department at work so this makes me mindful to set an example for others on the job. Everyone needs motivation to do their best and someone to lead the way. My own boss does a good days work so I am looking to him for guidance when needed.
It’s Time To Lower That Flag
South Carolina to remove Confederate flag from Capitol grounds http://t.co/1LBVWMbmqz pic.twitter.com/PPtrbPrNHw
— Morning Edition (@MorningEdition) July 9, 2015
I support the move of the Confederate flag to a museum or perhaps to the pages of a history book. Americans of all stripes should work towards building a new heritage of inclusion, peace, love and reconciliation. As a southerner that flag does not speak for me because I live in the 21st century, not the 19th. We must all focus on building a new south where people of all races, genders, orientation and religions are free to live without fear.
Comment or Friendship
I fear commenting on stuff a lot of times because I am left-of-center on many issues. Everyone has the right to their opinion but when yours goes against many of your friends it can become a problem. There are times I need to keep silent so that friendships can remain. I don’t know but I don’t have a lot of really tight friendships in this life so sometimes I have to keep silent.
Maybe I don’t fall for the lemming thing and I have chosen to think on my own. Maybe not having a great number of friends has freed me to form independent opinions on things which has informed me about the world in a deeper way. On Facebook and even Twitter there are debates of the day which has raised the volume of rhetoric and venom among people who have been life-long friends. Perhaps I choose to be different and the voice of what is fair, just, inclusive and loving.
So do I comment or choose friendship…that is a tough one.
A Ramble About Calling Me “Bud”
I have been in a couple of retail environments lately where male retail assistants have called me “bud” because they don’t know my name. Now I know I live in the south and for some it just comes naturally but for some reason when they call me “bud” it irks me. My grandmother called me “bud” on occasion but that’s my grandmother, she could call me whatever she liked, she earned that right. In a retail environment I would rather be called “sir” not that I am snobby but to me it makes sense to address strangers as sir and to be a little more formal. Perhaps it’s a generational as well as a cultural thing but I think the word “bud” is for a buddy or someone you know.
Also I hate the term “big guy”, yes I know I am a larger sized person but that one also makes me cringe. If you know me call me Tony or T-Bird, either is fine but if you don’t know me or any other person, start off with “sir” it’s a matter of respect that will be returned in kind.
Rambling About Being Yourself and Keeping Up With The Jonses
Being yourself is a challenge when you feel like you have to adapt to the whims and norms of others. Keeping up with the Joneses means trying to impress people by putting on airs and buying things of value so that you will look the part. Sometimes it means doing things that go against your nature. This evening an episode of the Andy Griffith Show, Andy sends Opie to a camp where Opie meets a boy from an affluent family. This puts pressure on the Taylor family to act differently and do things differently because they feel like in order to be accepted by the family of Opie’s friend.
This is a common theme when people who want to be accepted, to be in the in-crowd which means they have to live above their means. People are always trying to impress so they will feel included in society. We all want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves but should it mean selling our soul and compromising our core beliefs to do so.
I have seen people who have tried to keep up with the Joneses at a great cost. Everyone has a dream and we all want those dreams to come true but my friends people can pick out those who are less than genuine. Perhaps being realistic about who we are and where we are in life will mean you can be accepted by those who matter and will be with you for the long haul.
Be honest with yourself, with others and enjoy the blessings you have, because someone thought you would need them.